The collection will be sold at a selection of UK galleries after the original art works go on display for a public exhibition at Beano Studios in London on April 19 this year.

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A new collaboration between the classic children’s comic Beano and The Specials’ bassist, Horace Panter will launch the likes of Dennis, Gnasher, Minnie the Minx and Billy Whizz into the worlds of Warhol, Lichtenstein and Hockney.

The iconic gang of comic characters are being propelled into a collection of Pop Art paintings and silkscreen prints, created by Panter.

The collection will be sold at a selection of UK galleries after the original art works go on display for a public exhibition at Beano Studios in London on April 19 this year.

The pieces took artists and bass player, Panter, six months to create in his Coventry studio, adding the cartoon characters into the settings of some of his favourite Pop Art pieces. Minnie the Minx appears as a Warhol starlet, Lord Snooty as an iconic character in the style of a Roy Lichtenstein painting and Dennis and Gnasher making mischief in Hockney’s LA swimming pool.

Panter said: “Growing up, there was always Beano around; those characters were an integral part of my childhood. Dennis, Minnie the Minx and, my personal favourites, the Bash Street Kids – street smart, irreverent anti-heroes for the under 12s; when punk rock came along it seemed like the Beano set to music.

“I’d like to think the paintings are funny and irreverent, but paying homage to both my favourite artists and to the comic characters. Hope you like them as much as I do. For me, it’s the ultimate labour of love.”

Allison Watkins, EVP global consumer products and TV distribution at Beano Studios, added: “Over the past 80 years, Beano has been the visual soundtrack to British childhood.

“Whether in the forties, seventies or noughties, our characters have paved the way for fun and raucous adventures, making this partnership with Horace Panter the perfect fit and a wonderful way to celebrate this big Beano birthday.”